TRACKER
Advancing Lung Cancer Research
Why do we need to research advanced lung cancer?
Lung cancer is often hard to detect early because it’s symptoms can easily be confused with other problems. As a result, more than 50% of cases are found only after the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. At this advanced stage, surgery is not an option. Instead, other treatments such as radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and/or immunotherapy are used to manage the disease. How well these treatments work can differ from person to person, making research into advanced lung cancer a key area to investigate.
THE GAP BETWEEN ADVANCED LUNG CANCER RESEARCH AND DISCOVERY
Human samples are a highly valuable resource for medical researchers - but can be difficult to collect.
Human samples (tissue, blood, fluid) are precious resources because they contain a lot of valuable information about the cancer, which can be used for high quality research both now and in years to come. One of the major roadblocks in researching better treatments has been the lack of access to appropriate lung tumour samples, as it can be more difficult to obtain them surgically from people with advanced disease. Since samples have not regularly been collected from the same person over time, there is also limited understanding of why people with advanced lung cancer respond so differently to the same treatment.
Looking towards a brighter future together.
TRACKER Team
WHAT IS A BIOBANK?
A biobank is a secure place for storing human samples
In a similar way to how banks store money, biobanks securely process, catalogue and store biospecimens (blood, tissue and fluids) in a culturally safe way from people living with advanced lung cancer for use in future ethically approved research projects. By supporting research projects with quality human samples, we can help researchers find better ways to treat advanced lung cancer and ultimately improve outcomes for people living with advanced disease.
My hope for the future of the biobank is that it will provide a live resource of real-world data that's current and diverse to enable researchers to better understand the treatment response and resistance processes in lung cancer, and develop more effective treatment strategies, which are desperately needed.
Tom. W, Family Member
I have been living with an incurable lung cancer for over ten years now. I am fortunate to have had new treatments discovered since my diagnosis that have kept me alive. I hope with discoveries made by using information gained from the TRACKER project, I will be able to live at least another 10 years. TRACKER is a great project and I thank the Australian Government for financially supporting it and providing tools to ensure our researchers have an opportunity to make some amazing discoveries.
Anita. M, Living with Lung Cancer
HOW IS TRACKER A WORLD FIRST?
Collecting, processing, storing and sharing resources for advanced lung cancer research
​​TRACKER is unique because aggregates health related information over time about the person, the cancer and the treatment received. Coupled with new extensive and deep analysis of samples, the complete picture this provides will allow researchers to gain valuable insights into the varying treatment responses between people, providing opportunities to develop personalised medicine and treatment breakthroughs. ​​
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Recognising its importance, the Australian Government has invested $3 million into the TRACKER biobank. ​​
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Our goal is that TRACKER will transform global research on advanced lung cancer, allowing for world-class innovations that haven't been possible due to both the limited number of biospecimens and the technology available to analyse them.
WHAT IS THE SCALE OF TRACKER?
How does the TRACKER Biobank Work?
The TRACKER biobank collects, processes, stores and passes on human advanced lung cancer samples and health related information, to researchers who can seek ways to improve treatment response for people with advanced lung cancer. This is completed by:
Consenting People
People likely to have lung cancer are provided with information about TRACKER prior to giving consent to be a participant. We gather samples in a way which is culturally safe and protects people's privacy and rights. Participants will always know why we are collecting something.
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Biospecimen Collection
Small tumour tissue and lung fluid samples are collected in a very simple, straightforward and safe way, without requiring major surgery. Blood is collected the same way as a regular blood test. All samples are collected at times that line up with regular hospital visits.
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Analysis & Sharing
Samples are deeply analysed using the latest sequencing technologies. Samples and health information are shared with researchers for projects we have approved to allow breakthroughs to happen quicker, resulting in improved outcomes for people with advanced lung cancer.
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HOW DOES TRACKER ACTIVELY DEMONSTRATE ITS COMMITMENT TO EQUITY & DIVERSITY?
TRACKER is committed to improving lung cancer treatment outcomes for priority populations
TRACKER strives to adhere to culturally sensitive biobanking practices and will recruit participants from priority populations; such as people from Indigenous backgrounds, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, advanced age, lower socioeconomic status, and rural/remote location in order to facilitate and spearhead research beneficial to people with the greatest needs.
As a person from a culturally diverse background, I am excited that the TRACKER biobank will give researchers an opportunity to understand the diversity of people with lung cancer and what that could mean to the way people respond to treatments and what the differences in outcomes might be.
Nasreen. K, Family Member
Our tumour samples are precious to us. Knowing they will be safely collected, stored, and utilised to help advance lung cancer research with minimal waste, gives me total satisfaction and fills me with hope. Hope that these answers will someday be found, but also hope that our care will be improved. As a wife and a mum of 2 young children, everyday matters.
Lisa. B, TRACKER Participant
WHAT WILL SAMPLES AND INFORMATION BE USED FOR?
Samples and information stored by TRACKER are collected for research into advanced lung cancer.
It is currently not possible to know which projects these samples will be used for as they will be collected for future research. However, only projects that align with the goals of TRACKER, including supporting ethically-approved research that will contribute to advancing knowledge and treatment of advanced lung cancer will be approved. If you would like to know more about the research that may be using your samples, please see our current list of active projects below.
HOW HAS OUR COMMUNITY SHAPED TRACKER?
TRACKER has been developed under constant guidance of people with lived experience of lung cancer
TRACKER values the contributions of people with a lived experience of lung cancer who provide a wide range of perspectives to this team-oriented biobank. They help us make sure TRACKER meets the needs and research goals of advanced lung cancer patients. Our team of people (living with, loved ones of, carers and/or friends) are actively involved in providing their unique views about:
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Ethics, information & consent
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Project design & scope
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Project communication
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Facilitation of equity & diversity for priority populations
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Strategic planning
As a person living with advanced lung cancer, deeply passionate about lung cancer research, I’ve had the opportunity to shape our work by using my insights to advocate for the inclusion of liquid biopsies, promote the adoption of annual feedback to trial participants, and spearhead the creation of a broad and diverse consumer committee to help guide the future direction of TRACKER.
Lisa. B, TRACKER Participant
Through the darkness of the illness there are flashes of beauty like being partner in research and working with the TRACKER team monthly for 2 years on the co-design of the project.
Jac., Living with Lung Cancer
WISHING TO BE INVOLVED?
Help us make a difference as a person with lived experience of lung cancer
We are always on the lookout for passionate individuals with a lived experience of lung cancer who are dedicated to making a meaningful impact in advanced lung cancer research. If you are driven to contribute to the TRACKER project, we want to hear from you!